Avenged Sevenfold kicked off the "Nightmare After Christmas" tour on Thursday (January 20) in Reading, Pennsylvania. The show marked Avenged's live debut with Arin Ilejay, formerly the drummer for Los Angeles-based Christian rock group Confide, who is sitting behind the kit for Avenged Sevenfold's upcoming tour dates.
The band said in a statement, "We recently asked several friends who knew Jimmy and his style, and also knew our music and each of our personalities to suggest drummers to tour with us starting this year. Our longtime studio drum tech Mike Fasano recommended Arin Ilejay. We've rehearsed with Arin and have been impressed with his technical skills, attitude and work ethic. We're very excited to tour with Arin and hope all of you will give him the warm welcome to the family we have."
Ilejay played on Confide's 2008 debut album, "Shout The Truth", and appeared on tour with the group.
Sullivan was found dead in his Huntington Beach, California home at the age of 28. His death was attributed to a lethal combination of prescription drugs and alcohol.
The latest single from "Nightmare", which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart last summer, is "Welcome To The Family".
See interview video on Blabbermouth
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